The next few minutes were a confusion of noise. Mrs. Horn who’d rushed out at the sound of Annie’s shriek sobbed into a handkerchief. Mr. Eisen left the large wall map where he was marking Nazi advances with green pins and shook Moe’s hand firmly thrilled to have a real soldier to talk to. Jerry Solomon looked abashed; Harry Cohn took in the scene with a bemused look.
The other boarders milled around in a noisy chattering group thrilled to see their little Moishe Boruch safe and sound and so grown up. Abe Levine standing a little apart sported a broad smile.
And Annie? Her treacherous cheeks glowed but her voice was controlled as she thanked Mr. Levine for his kindness to her brother.
The front door opened. Yeruchum Freed walked in from shul.
